PARKS NEWS

Did You Get a Permit? Smith River Permit Lottery Results Available Starting Today - Highest Number of Permit Applications Received in History of Program

(Helena, MT) –Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) announced today that 2014 permit lottery drawing results to float the Smith River are available to the public starting today on the FWP online license service at direct link: https://app.mt.gov/als/index/index.html. Successful permit applicants will also be notified by mail.

This year, the number of applications exceeded all previous years with7,373 applications received, a 10.7% increase from last year’s record 6,662 applicants. The permit lottery drawing process started in 1993.

This year, 1,122 permit applicants were successful, also a new record. Last year, Montana State Parks issued 1,062 permits. This increase in issued permits is due to the public requesting more shoulder season launch dates than ever before.

“Montanans know that floating the iconic Smith River is an experience of a lifetime,” said Chas Van Genderen, Administrator for Montana State Parks. “We thank the public for their continued support of the Smith River State Park and wish everyone a safe and enjoyable float season.”

Of the successful permit applicants, 76% were residents and 24% were non-residents from the states Colorado, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming, respectively. Three successful applicants were international from Canada.

The most popular date chosen to float was June 19. (2.9% drawing odds).

Smith River State Park offers gorgeous scenery in a remote setting. Renowned trout fishing is just one of the recreational opportunities that make a float trip on the 59-mile Smith River an unforgettable experience.

If you were not successful in the regular permit lottery drawing, you can still try by purchasing Smith River Super Permit chances at $5 per chance. Chances may be purchased online through the Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Automated Licensing System and at any FWP regional office or license provider through Thursday, March 20. Montana State Parks issues one Super Permit each year through a separate lottery. The Recipient of the Super Permit will be allowed to launch on any date of their choosing and will be notifired directly in late March by the Smith River State Park Manager.

Also, keep in mind, if you were not successful this year in the regular drawing you can call the Smith River Reservation and Information Line at (406) 454-5861 beginning March 17, 2014 (between 8am and Noon. Monday through Friday) to request any remaining launch dates or cancelled permits.

With a lot of black bear activity on the Smith River in 2013, floaters are strongly urged to be Bear Aware and practice safe food storage in 2014. (more info here: http://stateparks.mt.gov/smith-river/). Montana State Parks is pursuingmandatory food storage rules to be implemented in 2015, after a public comment process.